Marine Academy Plymouth ladies inflicted a 5-0 home defeat on Torquay United Women’s 1st team on Sunday afternoon, on the opening day of the new South West Regional Women’s Premier League season, at a very hot South Devon College Sports Centre.
A goal in the first half from Ollie Ramsey, plus a second half brace from Samantha Drewery and strikes from Beth Everson and Eden May, gave all 3 points to United’s Devon neighbours.
The home team, who gave league debuts to new signings Louiza May, Willow Allery, Sasha Mole, Scarlett Williams, Lucy Gregory and 16 year old substitute Roisin Payne, produced a battling performance for large parts of the game, but the Gulls visibly tired in the final quarter, leaving the door open for an experienced MAP side to take full advantage, with three goals in the closing stages.
Midfielder Louiza May, had the only real opportunities for United, but both her efforts where saved by Carpenter in the MAP goal.
At the other end United’s number one Alina Wright, had another impressive game, making a string of fine saves throughout the match. Skipper Nicola Caunce was voted United’s player of the match, while Abigail Scandrett worked extremely hard as a lone striker for the home side.
“It was a disappointing result, a disappointing defeat, but overall, we are pretty pleased, we asked the team to give us a 100% effort and it was there today. Two or Three nil would have been a fair score line, but MAP where the better side, we tired towards the end and that led to some errors within our game”, United Manager Jamie McInnes said.
“I expect MAP to be challenging for the title this season, but if we can repeat the performance and effort of first 70 minutes each week, we will pick up points this season” added McInnes.
McInnes will have to wait and see the extent of an injury to club captain Nikki May, who looked to have aggravated a knee injury from earlier in pre-season.
United will need to re-group quickly, as they face RNAS Culdrose LFC next Sunday, in a preliminary round of this seasons FA Cup, before a return fixture in Ivybridge against MAP once again.
“We need to take the positives from todays game into the FA Cup tie. Culdrose will be tough opposition, but it’s the FA Cup and everyone wants to get into the next round”, McInnes said.
The game will once again take place at South Devon College Sports Centre, with a 2pm kick off.
TUWFC XI: A.Wright, W.Allery, N.Farrell, S.Tyler, F.Jackson, S.Mole, N.Caunce (C), L.Gregory, L.May, S.Williams, A.Scandrett
Subs: N.May, G.Anderson, R.Payne, S.Packer
MAP XI: A.Carpenter, L.Johnson, A.Hardrill, B.Parkin, S.Drewery, C.Harris (C), J.Chubb, E.Eaton, L.Dunn, O.Ramsey, J.Bryan
Subs: E.May, J.Richards, B.Everson, I.Brumhead, L.Cooper
Referee: Mr Simon Mann
*Photo Credit to SGB Photography